FAI Cup Quarter-final: St Patrick's Athletic manager John McDonnell says he will be offered a one-year contract extension, provided his side accumulate more league points than they did last season.
With just two wins from their last 12 games, however, McDonnell is in urgent need of victory over Longford Town in tonight's first quarter-final of the FAI Cup at Richmond Park.
Having promised much prior to the summer break when they had lost just two of 14 games, St Patrick's season will be effectively over tonight if they lose to a side they've not beaten in nearly two years.
"I've been offered a new contract, and it's subject to us getting a certain amount of points," explained McDonnell. "We ended up with 32 points last year and we need to do better than that. We have 27 with eight games to play.
"Yes, our whole season rests on this match, but it's the same for Longford. If we can get through to the semi-finals it keeps our season alive."
The dead-ball delivery of Keith Fahey will be missing as will fellow cup-tied striker Mark Rooney. Kevin Grogan, an option up front, is out with a hamstring strain while defender Stephen Quigley is doubtful with a foot injury.
Longford manager Alan Mathews must also adjust his side as both Damien Brennan and David Freeman are cup-tied while Stephen Paisley is suspended, though captain Alan Murphy returns from a ban.
A chance to get within "necking distance" of leaders Shelbourne is manager Damien Richardson's description of their re-fixed league game with Bray Wanderers at Turner's Cross tonight.
Victory would move champions Cork up to second in the table, five points behind Shelbourne, and two ahead of Derry City, though Stephen Kenny's side would have four games in hand.
John O'Flynn, whose abductor muscle has been sore this week, following four games in two weeks, is unlikely to start with Denis Behan set to partner Neale Fenn up front.
Fresh from their first point in 10 games at Drogheda United last week in his first game in charge, new Bray manager Eddie Gormley confirmed he has released striker Robbie Doyle and midfielder Colm James by mutual consent.
Bohemians won't be appealing the decision by the league to deduct them three points for fielding defender Jason McGuinness after he played in the league win over Shelbourne on August 18 while he should having been serving a suspension.
TONIGHT'S FIXTURES (7.45 unless stated) FAI Cup (Quarter-final): St. Patrick's Athletic v Longford Town (Live on TG4). National League Premier Division: Cork City v Bray Wanderers. First Division: Limerick FC v Galway United; Monaghan United v Kilkenny City (8.0).
